Your normal resting heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. Your heart not only carries nutrients and oxygen to your body, research from the Institute of Heartmath shows it communicates with the brain!

Energetically, it's also the transition point from the physical body to the spiritual one. It's the connection between the first three chakras: the root, sacral and solar plexus (dealing with the more earthbound work of survival, emotions and clear thinking); the heart is the transition to the spiritual chakras: throat, brow and crown energy centers, which we'll uncover in later blog posts.

The heart's electromagnetic field is the most powerful field produced by the body, according to Heartmath scientists. It extends well beyond the body, and can actually be picked up in another person's energy field by sensitive devices.

The heart's energy center color is a vibrant, emerald green and is located in the center of the chest (not more to the left where the physical heart is).

You've probably experienced a 'broken heart' where your heart actually hurts. (Not in a physical, 'I should call an ambulance' way' but as in a heartache). Or have you been 'green with envy'? These emotions are not the true essence of the heart chakra.

The heart chakra is the pure core of love: unselfish, giving, forgiving.

Releasing old grudges, hurts and forgiving others releases the energy of this center and it expands exponentially. Try new thought patterns such as, "I forgive others easily", or " I am loved and accepted by Universal Love".

To balance this Chakra place both hands over each other at the center of your chest. Say these words: "For my highest good."